EXHIBIT 10.4          CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BANK AND THE CHIEF
                      OPERATING OFFICER DATED SEPTEMBER 3, 1996

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                               LENOX SAVINGS BANK
                           CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT


        This AGREEMENT is made effective as of September 3, 1996 by and between
Lenox Savings Bank (the "Bank"), an Ohio chartered savings institution, with its
principal administrative office at 5255 Beech Street, St. Bernard, Ohio,
("Bank"), and Lenox Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Ohio which is the holding company of
the Bank and Diane P. Irwin ("Executive").

        WHEREAS, the Bank recognizes the substantial contribution Executive has
made to the Bank and wishes to protect Executive's position therewith for the
period provided in this Agreement; and

        WHEREAS, Executive has agreed to serve in the employ of the Bank.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the contribution and
responsibilities of Executive, and upon the other terms and conditions
hereinafter provided, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.      TERM OF AGREEMENT.

        The term this Agreement shall be deemed to have commenced as of the date
first above written and shall continue for a period of thirty-six (36) full
calendar months thereafter. Commencing on the first anniversary date of this
Agreement and continuing at each anniversary date thereafter, the Board of
Directors of the Bank ("Board") may extend the Agreement for an additional year.
The Board will review the Agreement and Executive's performance annually for
purposes of determining whether to extend the Agreement, and the results thereof
shall be included in the minutes of the Board's meeting.

2.      CHANGE IN CONTROL.

        (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Bank or the
Holding Company (as herein defined) followed at any time during the term of this
Agreement by the termination of Executive's employment, other than for Cause, as
defined in Section 2(c) hereof, the provisions of Section 3 shall apply. Upon
the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive shall have the right to elect
to voluntarily terminate his employment at any time during the term of this
Agreement following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant
authority, reduction in his annual compensation or benefits, or relocation of
his principal place of employment by more than 25 miles from its location
immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided, however, the Executive may
consent in writing to any such demotion, loss, reduction or relocation. The
effect of any written consent of the Executive under this Section 2 (a) shall be
strictly limited to the terms specified in such written consent.



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        (b) For purposes of this Plan, a "Change in Control" of the Bank or
Holding Company shall mean an event of a nature that: (i) would be required to
be reported in response to Item 1(a) of the Current Report on Form 8-K, as in
effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in (A) a Change in
Control of the Bank or the Holding Company within the meaning of the Change in
Bank Control Act (""CBCA") and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") at 12 C.F.R. ss. 303.4(a)
with respect to the Bank and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System ("FRB") at 12 C.F.R. ss. 225.41(b) with respect to the Holding Company,
as in effect on the date hereof or (B) a transaction requiring prior FRB
approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 ("BHCA") and the regulations
promulgated thereunder by the FRB at 12 C.F.R. ss. 225.11, as in effect on the
date hereof except for the Holding Company's acquisition of the Bank, provided
that the Board shall substitute its judgment for that of the appropriate
regulatory authority in applying the relevant definitions under the CBCA and the
BHCA; or (iii) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to
have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the
Bank's or the Holding Company's outstanding securities except for any securities
of the Bank purchased by the Holding Company in connection with the conversion
of the Bank to the stock form and any securities purchased by any employee
benefit plan of the Bank or the Holding Company, or (B) individuals who
constitute the Board on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by
a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent
Board, or whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's stockholders
was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board,
shall be, for purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were a member
of the Incumbent Board, or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation,
sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company
or similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or Holding Company is not the
resulting entity or (D) a proxy statement has been distributed soliciting
proxies from stockholders of the Holding Company, by someone other than the
current management of the Holding Company, seeking stockholder approval of a
plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Holding Company or
Institution with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding
shares of the class of securities then subject to such plan or transaction are
exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the
Institution or the Holding Company; or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or
more of the voting securities of the Institution or Holding Company then
outstanding.

        (c) Executive shall not have the right to receive termination benefits
pursuant to Section 3 hereof upon Termination for Cause. The term "Termination
for Cause" shall mean termination because of Executive's personal dishonesty,
incompetence, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving
personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation
of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar
offenses) or final cease-and-desist order, or material breach of any provision
of this Agreement. In determining incompetence, the acts or omissions shall be
measured against standards of professional competence


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generally prevailing for officers having comparable positions in the savings
institutions industry. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be
deemed to have been Terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been
delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of
not less than a majority of the Board of Directors of the Bank at a meeting of
the Board called and held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive
and an opportunity for him, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board
at such meeting and which such meeting shall be held not more than 30 days from
the date of notice during which period Executive may be suspended with pay),
finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of
conduct justifying Termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof
in detail. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other
benefits for any period after Termination for Cause. Any stock options or
limited rights granted to Executive under any stock option plan of the Bank, the
Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, shall become null and void
effective upon Executive's receipt of Notice of Termination for Cause and shall
not be exercisable by or delivered to Executive at any time subsequent to such
Termination for Cause.

3.      TERMINATION BENEFITS.

        (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, followed at any time
during the term of this Agreement by termination of the Executive's employment
due to: (1) Executive's dismissal or (2) Executive's voluntary termination
pursuant to Section 2(a), unless such termination is due to Termination for
Cause, the Bank and the Holding Company shall pay Executive, or in the event of
his subsequent death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the
case may be, a sum equal to three (3) times Executive's average annual
compensation for the five most recent taxable years that Executive has been
employed by the Bank or such lesser number of years in the event that Executive
shall have been employed by the Bank for less than five years, such average
annual compensation shall include any bonuses, and any other compensation paid
or to be paid to Executive in any such year, the amount of benefits paid or
accrued to Executive pursuant to any employee benefit plan maintained by the
Bank or Holding Company in any such year and the amount of any contributions
made or to be made on behalf of Executive pursuant to any employee benefit plan
maintained by the Bank or the Holding Company in any such year. At the election
of Executive, which election is to be made prior to a Change in Control, such
payment shall be made in a lump sum. In the event that no election is made,
payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis in approximately equal
installments during the remaining term of this Agreement.

        (b) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Bank or the
Holding Company followed at any time during the term of this Agreement by
Executive's voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, other than for
Termination for Cause, the Bank shall cause to be continued life, medical and
disability coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the
Bank or Holding Company for Executive prior to his severance, except to the
extent such coverage may be changed in its application to all Bank or Holding
Company employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Such coverage and payments shall
cease upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) full calendar months from the Date
of Termination.

        (c) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs of this Section 3, in the
event that:


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          (i)  the aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to
               Executive, which are deemed to be parachute payments as defined
               in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
               (the "Code") or any successor thereof, (the "Termination
               Benefits") would be deemed to include an "excess parachute
               payment" under Section 280G of the Code; and

          (ii) if such Termination Benefits were reduced to an amount (the
               "Non-Triggering Amount"), the value of which is one dollar
               ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three (3) times Executive's
               "base amount," as determined in accordance with said Section 280G
               and the Non-Triggering Amount less the product of the marginal
               rate of any applicable state and federal income tax and the Non
               Triggering Amount would be greater than the aggregate value of
               the Termination Benefits (without such reduction) minus (i) the
               amount of tax required to be paid by the Executive thereon by
               Section 4999 of the Code and further minus (ii) the product of
               the Termination Benefits and the marginal rate of any applicable
               state and federal income tax,

then the Termination Benefits shall be reduced to the Non-Triggering Amount. The
allocation of the reduction required hereby among the Termination Benefits shall
be determined by the Executive.

4.      NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

        (a) Any purported termination by the Bank or by Executive in connection
with a Change in Control shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the
other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail
the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.

        (b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of
Termination (which, in the instance of Termination for Cause, shall not be less
than thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given).

        (c) If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is
given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party
that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall
be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written
agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or by a final
judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for
appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected) and
provided further that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of
dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such
notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute in connection with a Change in
Control, the Bank will continue to pay Executive his full compensation in effect
when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but


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not limited to his annual salary) and continue him as a participant in all
compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which he was participating when the
notice of dispute was given, until the earlier of: (1) the resolution of the
dispute in accordance with this Agreement or (2) the expiration of the remaining
term of this Agreement as determined as of the Date of Termination.

5.      SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

        It is intended by the parties hereto that all payments provided in this
Agreement shall be paid in cash or check from the general funds of the Bank.
Further, the Holding Company guarantees such payment and provision of all
amounts and benefits due hereunder to Executive and, if such amounts and
benefits due from the Bank are not timely paid or provided by the Bank, such
amounts and benefits shall be paid or provided by the Holding Company.

6.      EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFIT PLANS.

        This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior agreement between the Bank and Executive, except
that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or
compensation inuring to Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of
this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to
receiving fewer benefits than those available to him without reference to this
Agreement.

        Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Executive the right to
continue in the employ of Bank or shall impose on the Bank any obligation to
employ or retain Executive in its employ for any period.

7.      NO ATTACHMENT.

        (a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this
Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale,
assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution,
attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any
attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null,
void, and of no effect.

        (b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
Executive, the Bank and their respective successors and assigns.


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8.      MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.

        (a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an
instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

        (b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision
of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such
waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver
unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as
to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of
such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than that
specifically waived.

9.      REGULATORY PROVISIONS.

        (a) The board of directors may terminate Executive's employment at any
time, but any termination by the board of directors, other than Termination for
Cause, shall not prejudice Executive's right to compensation or other benefits
under this Agreement. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation
or other benefits for any period after Termination for Cause as defined in
Section 2 herein above.

        (b) If Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited
from participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice served under
Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
ss.1818(e)(3) or (g)(1)) or by notice served by the Ohio Division of Financial
Institutions, the Bank's obligations under this contract shall be suspended as
of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges
in the notice are dismissed, the Bank may in its discretion (i) pay Executive
all or part of the compensation withheld while their contract obligations were
suspended and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of the obligations which
were suspended.

        (c) If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under
Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
ss.1818(c)(4) or (g)(1)) or by notice served by the Ohio Division of Financial
Institutions, all obligations of the Bank under this contract shall terminate as
of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the contracting parties
shall not be affected.

        (d) If the Bank is in default as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act or under the rules of the Ohio Division of
Financial Institutions or otherwise under Ohio law, all obligations of the Bank
under this contract shall terminate as of the date of default, but this
paragraph shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

        (e) All obligations under this contract shall be terminated, except to
the extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary for the
continued operation of the institution: (i) by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC") at the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide
assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in


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Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; or (ii) by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation at the time the FDIC approves a supervisory merger
to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is
determined by the FDIC to be in an unsafe or unsound condition. Any rights of
the parties that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such
action.

        (f) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or
otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C.
ss.1828(k) and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as well as the
rules of the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.

10.     REINSTATEMENT OF BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 9(b).

        In the event Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice described in
Section 9(b) hereof (the "Notice") during the term of this Agreement and a
Change in Control, as defined herein, occurs, the Bank will assume its
obligation to pay and Executive will be entitled to receive all of the
termination benefits provided for under Section 3 of this Agreement upon the
Bank's receipt of a dismissal of charges in the Notice of Termination.

11.     SEVERABILITY.

        If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any
provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision
of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each
such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with
law continue in full force and effect.

12.     HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

        The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for
convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of
any of the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, references to the
masculine shall apply equally to the feminine.

13.     GOVERNING LAW.

        The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

14.     ARBITRATION.

        Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel
of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty
(50) miles from the location of the Bank's main office, in accordance with the
rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be


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entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided,
however, that Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his
right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any
dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

15.     PAYMENT OF COSTS AND LEGAL FEES.

        All reasonable costs and legal fees paid or incurred by Executive
pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement
shall be paid or reimbursed by the Bank (which payments are guaranteed by the
Holding Company pursuant to Section 5 hereof) if Executive is successful on the
merits pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.

16.     INDEMNIFICATION.

        The Holding Company shall provide Executive (including his heirs,
executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy at its expense, or in lieu thereof, shall
indemnify Executive (and his heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest
extent permitted under Ohio law and as provided in the Holding Company's
articles of incorporation against all expenses and liabilities reasonably
incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or
proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a director
or officer of the Holding Company (whether or not he continues to be a director
or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses
and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and
attorneys' fees and the cost of reasonable settlements.

17.     SUCCESSOR TO THE BANK

        The Bank shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or
substantially all the business or assets of the Bank, expressly and
unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank's obligations under this
Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be
required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.


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                                   SIGNATURES

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lenox Savings Bank and Lenox Bancorp, Inc. have
caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, and
Executive has signed this Agreement, on the 3rd day of September, 1996.


ATTEST:                           LENOX SAVINGS BANK

/s/ Richard L. Harmeyer           By:    /s/ Virginia M. Porowski
------------------------------       ---------------------------------
Secretary                                Virginia M. Porowski
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer
SEAL


ATTEST:                           LENOX BANCORP, INC.
                                  (Guarantor)

/s/ Richard L. Harmeyer           By:    /s/ Virginia M. Porowski
------------------------------       ---------------------------------
Secretary                                Virginia M. Porowski
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer
SEAL


WITNESS:

/s/ William T. Bird               By:    /s/ Diane P. Irwin
------------------------------       ---------------------------------
                                         Executive


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